mandalay

Need advice as to where to go for 3 nights in northern Italy,

I have been to Venice and Siena.
I am travelling in January and have 3 nights spare. I am travelling from Rome by train.

I like to see anything and everything.
I will be travelling from Rome and after 3 nights travelling by train onto Paris.

Suggestions please

Thanks

sandralist

Consider either Florence or Bologna or Torino.

RonZ

Torino to Paris there is a nonstop train taking about 6 hours.

julieah

Milan. If you haven't seen The Last Supper, order tickets asap if you decide to go

neckervd

"I like to see anything and everything"
SO PLAN 333 NIGHTS INSTEAD OF 3

dwdvagamundo

Florence. You might take a day trip to Bologna You could stop in Milano to see the Last Supper on the way to Paris but I wouldn't spend a lot of time there.

sandralist

neckervd,

I think perhaps you misinterpreted what the OP was trying to express. I believe that the OP is indicating is that he or she is open to all sorts of experiences and can enjoy many different kinds of things equally, so was asking people to share any and all enthusiasms.

I don't think the OP is saying that they they are trying to see "everything" in 3 nights.

dwdvagamundo

Why Florence? Florence is one of the "big three" cities in Italy (IMO) and you've seen Venice and will see Rome, the other two.

Florence is unlike anywhere else and has lots and lots to do--museums, art, architecture, a river, a very accessible high point over the City (Fiesole) where you can have a drink or dinner and watch the sun go down and the lights come on in Florence and surrounding areas. And much more. We spent a week in Florence years ago and took only one day trip--to Siena-but still didn't do everything. So given the time you have, go to Florence.

sandralist

Torino isn't like anyplace else and Bologna isn't like any place else you've been. Milano too. Florence and Rome actually have many features in common. I wonder if dwdvagamundo has been to the other places or just thinks you should spend a lot of time in Florence because that is all he or she knows about.

Rather than have your arm twisted maybe you should read about all the suggesetions and pick what sounds interesting to you. Your money. Your time.

mandalay

I am also going to Florence before Rome.
I am leaning towards Turin and perhaps taking a day trip to Aosta.
What is that area like in January?

dwdvagamundo

sandra-- I've been to Torino, Bologna and Milano--as well as lots of other places in Italy and elsewhere. Rome and Florence are not at all alike. Milano is, IMO, a lot like Chicago or northern Europe, not Italy. Love Bologna but it's not on the same level as Florence. Not trying to twist anyone's arm--just explaining my suggestion.

In any event, mandalay is going to Florence. Given that, I'd choose Bologna, but it's not my trip.

sandralist

Aosta has a legendary near-pagan festival in January -- I believe it is at the end of January. Otherwise, it is a ski location, so you will find everything open and cable cars running. For most people, the spectacular aspect of Aosta is its wonderful Roman ruins. If you have just been in Rome (or visited Fiesole as part of seeing Florence), you might not find it as much of an attraction.

It is a fairly long daytrip from Torino to Aosta, and remember that in January the hours of daylight will be shorter. I don't know if there is a way that you could see it on your way to Paris, but I would check into it instead of a day trip.

But Torino is a really interesting place with lots of quirky museums and its own style. It has exceptionally good food and wine and a few easier day trips out of the city other than Aosta. So if you ended up spending all your time there I don't think you would run out of things to do. It will be chilly -- at least as cold as Paris as possibly colder if the Alpine winds blow.

HappyTrvlr

Two nights Bologna, one night Torino sounds good.

sandralist

So does 2 nights in Torino and 1 in Bologna. Or 2 in Torino or Bologna and 1 in Aosta if it is possible to get to Paris easily from Aosta in january.

If I wanted to include Bologna, I'd take the train from Florence in the morning, stow luggage in the train station, walk or taxi to the piazza Maggiore and the historic food markets, and have lunch at Da Gianni (or Giampi e Ciccio if Da Gianni is not open). Then I would walk around the Santa Stefano area and go back to the train station via the Jewish Ghetto, get my luggage, and be in Torino for the cocktail hour.